Explanation of Names
ALBIVITTA: from the Latin "albus" (white) + "vitta" (a band; a stripe of color) - this species has a series of whitish partial bands on the abdomen but I'm not sure whether it is the origin of the species epithet
Numbers
the most commonly encountered species of Pedicia
Size
body length to at least 38 mm; wingspan to 80 mm; legspan to at least 100 mm
Identification
wing with distinctive dark band runnning longitudinally through median area, bending at about 30 degree angle toward costa at about two-thirds distance from base of wing; at the bend, a short branch of the dark band projects downward and touches the rear margin [this feature is diagnostic]; dark semicircular or triangular patch along costa about two-thirds distance from base of wing
abdomen long, slender, with pointed tip in females, blunt tip in males; each abdominal segment with black triangular or urn-shaped dorsal patch, bordered proximally by red, and distally by two whitish triangular patches (one on each side) that do not meet in the midline
Range
northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, south at least to North Carolina, west at least to Minnesota (and perhaps to British Columbia; see listing at
Trinity Western U., Langley, BC)
Habitat
larvae are aquatic; adults may be found on nearby vegetation and may be attracted to artificial light
Season
two distinct flight periods: usually May/June and September/October
Food
predaceous on small aquatic insects
Remarks
This species is one of the largest in northeastern United States and Canada, the other being Tipula abdominalis.
See Also
In
P. procteriana, the dark band on the wing does not reach the rear margin of the wing (i.e. there is no short branch projecting down from the longitudinal band).
See image of male
P. procteriana.
Internet References
pinned adult images of male and female (Chen Young, The Crane Flies of Pennsylvania)
common name reference [Giant Eastern Crane Fly] and wingspan (enature.com)
occurrence in Minnesota; list (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
occurrence in North Carolina - 4 specimens in collection, including local specimens (North Carolina State U.)
occurrence in British Columbia; list (Trinity Western University, Langley, BC)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 19 September, 2005 - 6:50pm
Last updated 19 September, 2005 - 8:06pm
